MASON CITY - Joan Cory, 49, of 1727 10th St. S.W., died Tuesday morning, Dec. 13, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.
A memorial service in celebration of Joan's life will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 17, at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St. S.E., Mason City. Officiating and being Master of Ceremonies will be the Rev. Ron Stein of the First Baptist Church.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon. Family inurnment will be held at a later date.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Joan Cory Memorial Fund or Hospice of North Iowa. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Fullertonfh.com.
Joan Marie Schnetter was born Aug. 26, 1962, in Fargo, N.D. She was fortunate to be adopted in November 1962 (it would have been sooner but there was a blizzard) by William "Bill" and Lorraine (Liska) Schnetter of Devils Lake, N.D.
The family moved to Mason City in 1965 where Joan attended Madison Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School and Newman High School. After graduating from Newman, Joan graduated from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Radiologic Technology.
While working at Mercy, she received an Associate of Arts Degree from NIACC, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting from Buena Vista College and a Master of Business Administration from Drake University.
Joan was very proud of her radiology roots. She served on many committees at the local level.
She was motivated by the prompting of her mentor Jean Christensen to get involved at the state level. Joan served as 1st Vice-President, President-Elect and President of the Iowa Society of Radiologic Technologists! Joan was also a member of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Joan has worked over the years as a volunteer for American Cancer Society Relay for Life, American Heart Association, and United Way of North Iowa.
Joan was married to David Van Osten in Sept. 1980. Following their divorce they remained friends. She married Steven E. Cory, the love of her life, on Nov. 29, 2002. She always referred to him as "Mr. Wonderful." They started dating May 17, 1997, so they had two anniversaries.
In 2005, Joan had heart surgery to replace a valve.
Surviving Joan is her husband, Steve, Mason City, her parents, Bill and Lorraine Schnetter, sister, Joleen (Bryan) Fleming, brother, Dale (Sandi) Schnetter, parents-in-law, Jerry and Virginia Cory, all of Mason City; brother-in-law, Brian Cory, Clear Lake; sisters-in-law, Carlyn Batten, Apple Valley, Minn.; Kathleen (Mike) Thul, Clear Lake, Susan (Jeff) Kuker, Des Moines. Nieces and nephews Drew and Molly Schnetter, Justin Fleming, Rob and Sarah, Amy and Ryan Thul, Aaron and Evan Batten and Regen Kuker and great niece-in-law Cora Thul.
Her grandparents and brother-in-law David Batten on Jan. 1, 2011, preceded her in death.
Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 123 2nd St. S.E., Mason City, IA 50401, 641-423-8676, www.Fullertonfh.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Globe Gazette.
Joan,
Today is your 50th birthday. I wish that we could be doing something special together today. My life is not the same without you. I miss you and think about you everyday. Love, Steve
Steve Cory
August 26, 2012
So sorry to hear of your loss. Hope you can find comfort in your memories.
Vicki Lorenzen
December 17, 2011 | Ventura, IA
Jerry, Virginia and family,
We did not know Joan but are very sorry for her passing.
Hope time and memories will comfort you at this time.
Leo and Sarabelle Steiner
December 17, 2011 | Mason City
I met Joan when I was a little girl, she was a close friend of my aunt's and I spent quite a bit of time with my aunt and her family growing up. I have really fond memories of Joan, always smiling, always jovial. And in my adult years whenever I would run into Joan out and about she would always greet me by saying "hey, beautiful!" Something most of us probably don't get every day. She had this way of making you feel special and worth her time it took to stop and chat for a few minutes. ...
Lisa
December 16, 2011 | Clear Lake, IA
To Joanie's family...
I worked for many years on the night shift at Mercy and Joan would come up to the Birth Center to do x-rays for our sick babies; she was a natural with the job she did. We always had jokes to exchange. Tom worked with Lorraine at old Memorial hospital and briefly knew Joanie as well. We are truly saddened by your family's loss and hoping time will heal broken hearts.
Tom and Linda Als
Linda Als
December 15, 2011 | Mason City, IA
Dale and Sandi
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know my thoughts are with you.
Sherri Wreghitt
December 15, 2011 | Eden Prairie, MN
Joan was my friend for almost 30 years....I met her in 1982 when I was a freshman Radiology student at Mercy and she was a new grad Technologist. I emulated her and she was my mentor....and we became immediate friends! We had so many memorable times I can not even begin to start....Besides being a part of my extended family, she became an integral part of my immediate family (attending family gatherings, holidays etc). There was no line for me with Joan, she was always family! My sisters Bee...
robert chizek
December 15, 2011 | Los ANGELES, CA
I am so sadden to hear of Joans passing; she was always fun to be around and to talk to! She is missed by many!
Amber Rock
December 15, 2011 | Currie, MN
i am shocked & saddened at the death of joan. we were officers in the isrt which she gave a great deal of her time &
effort. We had not kept in touch but will never forget her bright smile, dedication and service. my sincere sympathies to family and friends
maryellen shipp
December 15, 2011 | Charleston, SC